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Group working to raise money for Cañon City triple murder survivor

The Cañon City community is coming together to support the teenager whose mother and two siblings were killed in a triple homicide earlier this month.

Mandy Folsom, 35, and her children Marissa, 9, and Mason, 5, were found dead in their home on Phay Avenue on March 9. Folsom's teenage daughter was able to escape the home after being sexually assaulted. Jaacob Van Winkle, 31, was arrested and is accused of carrying out the assault and murders.

The shocking crime has caused heartbreak across the tight-knit community, now some are taking action.

"Marissa was in my son's class at Washington Elementary School and I just wanted to be able to help him really," explained Charlene Cornwell. "We started just talking about things and trying to help him get over the situation that he was going through."

Cornwell is one of 8 people who met over Facebook and decided to raise money for the Folsom family.

"We don't have the money to just be able to donate the money and so time is something that I do have," described Sarah Briney. "It's something I've been able to get my whole family, my husband and my children, involved in."

The group is called the Fremont County Fundraising Community, on Saturday they'll hold a fundraising party for the Folsom's. They also plan to help other people in need.

"Our goal is to be able to help more people in the community to be able to raise more money for their organizations," Briney explained. "It's been a tragic situation that has pulled so many people together and brought a positive outcome in the end."

Saturday's fundraiser will include a silent auction, live music, a bake sale and other festivities. It is being held at the Abbey from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information about Fremont County Fundraising Community can be found at www.facebook.com/FCFC8.